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Updated: 04 March, 1999

South African Maritime Safety Authority Act
Act 5 of 1998

[Assented To: 26 March 1998] [Date of Commencement: 1 April 1998]
(English text signed by the President)

ACT

To provide for the establishment and functions of the South African Maritime Safety Authority; and to provide for incidental matters.

Arrangement of Sections

Section
1. Definitions
Chapter 1 - South African Maritime Safety Authority
2. Establishment and transfer of certain functions
3. Objectives
4. Duties
5. How functions may be performed
6. Functions to be performed in accordance with objectives and international agreements and law
7. Directions by Minister
8. Reimbursement of cost of complying with directions
9. Powers
10. Prohibition on formation of companies and partnerships
11. Consultation
Chapter 2 - Board Of Authority And Staff
Part 1 - Board
12. Constitution of Board and terms and conditions of appointment
13. Period of office of members
14. Remuneration and allowances of members
15. Independence and responsibilities of members
16. Acting appointments
17. Resignation
18. Termination of appointment
19. Meetings
20. Conduct of meetings
21. Resolutions without meetings
Part 2 - Chief Executive Officer and staff
22. Chief Executive Officer
23. Chief Executive Officer not to engage in other work
24. Terms and conditions of service of Chief Executive Officer
25. Resignation
26. Acting Chief Executive Officer
27. Staff
Chapter 3 - Operation Of Authority
28. Business plan
29. Financial targets and performance indicators
30. Minister may direct variation of financial plan
Chapter 4 - Finance
Part 1 - General
31. Transfer of certain State assets to Authority
32. Transfer of land, etc, to Authority
33. Effect of transfer from State to Authority
34. Liabilities in respect of personnel
35. Money paid in advance to State
36. Rights in respect of services and facilities formerly provided by Department
37. Assets and liabilities
38. Maritime Fund
39. Grants by State
40. Borrowings
41. Guarantee of borrowings
42. Authority may give security
43. Application of Reporting by Public Entities Act, 1992
Part 2 - Charges
44. Charges
Chapter 5 - General Provisions
45. Power to detain
46. Limitation of liability and indemnification of Authority
47. Delegation by Minister
48. Delegation by Authority
49. Substitution of Authority for State in certain contracts, etc
50. Publication of directions
51. Marine casualties investigation commission
52. Certain functions of Authority to be performed by Department of State
53. Regulations
54. Application of Act to Prince Edward Islands
55. Amendment of section 1 of Act 105 of 1983, as substituted by section 1 of Act 87 of 1992
56. Amendment of section 11 of Act 105 of 1983, as substituted by section 9 of Act 87 of 1992
57. Transitional provisions
58. Short title and commencement

Schedule

1. DEFINITIONS

In this Act, unless the context indicates otherwise—

Chapter 1
South African Maritime Safety Authority (Ss 2-11)

2. ESTABLISHMENT AND TRANSFER OF CERTAIN FUNCTIONS

  1. The South African Maritime Safety Authority is hereby established as a juristic person.
  2. The administration of the laws mentioned in the first column of the Schedule is transferred to the Authority subject to the amendments (if any) contained in the third column of the Schedule, with effect from a date* fixed by the Minister by notice in the Gazette which must not be a date before 1 April 1998.

3. OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Authority are—

  1. to ensure safety of life and property at sea;
  2. to prevent and combat pollution of the marine environment by ships; and
  3. to promote the Republic's maritime interests.

4. DUTIES

In order to achieve its objectives the Authority must—

  1. administer the laws referred to in section 2 (2) and any applicable regulations made under those laws and not already included therein by definition;
  2. carry out such other duties as are assigned to the Authority by or under any other law; and
  3. carry out any duty as directed under section 7.

5. HOW FUNCTIONS MAY BE PERFORMED

  1. The Authority may perform its functions both within and outside the Republic.
  2. Subject to section 4, functions to provide services may be performed at the discretion of the Authority.
  3. Where the Authority performs a function, it may do so—
    1. itself;
    2. in co-operation with another person; or
    3. by delegating or assigning the power or duty concerned to another person.
  4. For the purposes of subsection (3), 'person' includes—
    1. the State;
    2. a province;
    3. the government or an agency of the government of a foreign country;
    4. any juristic or natural person.

6. FUNCTIONS TO BE PERFORMED IN ACCORDANCE WITH OBJECTIVES AND INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND LAW

The Authority must perform its functions in accordance with—

  1. its objectives mentioned in section 3; and
  2. the obligations of the Republic—
    1. under any international agreement to which the Republic is a party; and
    2. under customary international law binding on the Republic by virtue of section 232 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996).

7. DIRECTIONS BY MINISTER

  1. The Minister may give the Authority written directions regarding the performance of its functions, but directions regarding the performance of functions that are conferred on or assigned to the Authority by or under any other law, may be only of a general nature.
  2. Particulars of any direction given during a financial year must be included in the annual report of the Authority for that year.

8. REIMBURSEMENT OF COST OF COMPLYING WITH DIRECTIONS

  1. Where the Authority satisfies the Minister that it has suffered financial detriment as a result of complying with a direction given by the Minister under section 7, the Authority is entitled to be reimbursed by the State to the amount of that financial detriment.
  2. The reference in subsection (1) to suffering financial detriment includes a reference to—
    1. incurring costs that are greater than those that would otherwise have been incurred; and
    2. forgoing revenue that would otherwise have been received.

9. POWERS

  1. Without derogating from its power generally to perform juristic acts as a juristic person, the Authority has power, in particular, to institute and conduct civil proceedings in all matters relating to its functions.
  2. The Authority has power, subject to this Act, to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of its functions, including the power—
    1. to enter into contracts;
    2. to acquire, hold and dispose of assets;
    3. to let or hire plant, machinery, equipment or goods of the Authority not immediately required for the purposes of the Authority;
    4. to invest money not immediately required for the purposes of the Authority in any manner that is consistent with sound commercial practice.

10. PROHIBITION ON FORMATION OF COMPANIES AND PARTNERSHIPS

The Authority may not—

  1. subscribe for or purchase a majority shareholding in a company;
  2. join in the formation of a company; or
  3. enter into a partnership.

11. CONSULTATION

In the carrying out of its duties and the exercise of its powers, the Authority must, where appropriate, consult with bodies and organisations concerned, both public and private.

Chapter 2
Board of Authority and Staff (Ss 12-27)

Part 1 - Board (ss 12-21)

12. CONSTITUTION OF BOARD AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT

  1. The Board of the Authority consists of the following members:
    1. A Chairperson;
    2. a Deputy Chairperson;
    3. the Chief Executive Officer, by virtue of the office; and
    4. two to four other members.
  2. The members, other than the Chief Executive Officer, are part-time members.
  3. The members mentioned in subsection (1) (a), (b) and (d)—
    1. are appointed by the Minister from a list of names of persons which, at the Minister's request by notice in the media, have been submitted to him or her within the period specified in the notice by any person or body having an interest in the maritime or related industry; and
    2. hold office on such terms and conditions as the Minister determines in writing.
  4. In making appointments under subsection (3), the Minister must take into account that—
    1. the shipping sector must be represented by not more than one member;
    2. organised labour in the shipping sector must be represented by not more than one member;
    3. at least one member must be a person with substantial experience of maritime law, appointed in a personal capacity;
    4. the remaining members (if any) must be appointed in their personal capacities and on the grounds of their expertise and experience in the business sector.
  5. The carrying out of duties and the exercise of the powers of the Authority is not affected merely because of a vacancy in the membership of the Board.
  6. The Board performs the functions of the Authority in terms of this Act by resolution in terms of sections 19, 20 and 21.

13. PERIOD OF OFFICE OF MEMBERS

Subject to this Chapter, a member holds office for a period, not exceeding five years, specified in the instrument of appointment, but is eligible for reappointment.

14. REMUNERATION AND ALLOWANCES OF MEMBERS

Members mentioned in section 12 (1) (a), (b) and (d) are entitled to such remuneration and allowances as the Minister may determine after consultation with the Minister of Finance.

15. INDEPENDENCE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS

  1. Subject to section 12 (2) and (4), a member may not engage in any paid employment that will conflict with the proper performance of his or her functions as member.
  2. A member who has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a matter being considered by the Board must, without delay after the relevant facts have come to the member's knowledge, disclose the nature of the interest at a meeting of the Board.
  3. A disclosure in terms of subsection (2) must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting, and the member may not, unless the Board otherwise determines—
    1. be present during any deliberation of the Board with respect to that matter; or
    2. take part in any decision of the Board with respect to that matter.
  4. For the purpose of making a determination under subsection (3), a member who has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the matter to which the disclosure relates may not—
    1. be present during any deliberation of the Board for the purpose of making the determination; or
    2. take part in making the determination.
  5. Members must comply with the provisions of the Companies Act, 1973 (Act 61 of 1973), applicable to directors of companies.

16. ACTING APPOINTMENTS

  1. The Minister may appoint the Deputy Chairperson or another member, other than the Chief Executive Officer, to act as Chairperson—
    1. during a vacancy in the office of Chairperson; or
    2. when the Chairperson is absent from duty or from the Republic or is, for any other reason, unable to perform the functions of the office.
  2. The Minister may appoint a member, other than the Chief Executive Officer, to act as Deputy Chairperson—
    1. during a vacancy in the office of Deputy Chairperson; or
    2. when the Deputy Chairperson is absent from duty or from the Republic or is, for any other reason, unable to perform the functions of the office.
  3. The Minister may appoint a person to act as a member—
    1. during a vacancy in the office of a member; or
    2. when a member is absent from duty or from the Republic or is, for any other reason, unable to perform the functions of the office.
  4. Section 12 (4) applies with the necessary changes to appointments under subsection (3).
  5. A person appointed to act during a vacancy may not continue so to act for more than 12 months at a time.

17. RESIGNATION

A member, other than the Chief Executive Officer, may resign from the Board by notice in writing to the Minister.

18. TERMINATION OF APPOINTMENT

  1. The Minister may terminate the appointment of a member—
    1. for misbehaviour or for physical or mental incapacity;
    2. who becomes insolvent, applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of insolvent debtors, compounds with creditors or makes an assignment of remuneration for their benefit;
    3. who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with section 15 (1), (2) or (5);
    4. where the performance of a member as member has been unsatisfactory or ineffective for a significant period of time; or
    5. who has been convicted of an offence, of which dishonesty is an element, and sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine.
  2. If the performance of the Board has been unsatisfactory or ineffective for a significant period of time, the Minister may terminate the appointment of all members or specified members.

19. MEETINGS

  1. The Board must hold such meetings as are necessary for the effective and efficient performance of its functions.
  2. The Chairperson—
    1. may convene a meeting of the Board at any time; and
    2. must convene a meeting on receipt of a written request signed by not less than two other members.
  3. The Minister may convene a meeting of the Board at any time.
  4. Subject to section 15, the Chairperson presides at all meetings at which he or she is present.
  5. Where the Chairperson is not present at a meeting—
    1. the Deputy Chairperson presides; or
    2. if the Deputy Chairperson is not present, the members present must appoint one of their number to preside.
  6. At a meeting four members constitute a quorum.
  7. Questions arising at a meeting are determined by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting.
  8. The person presiding at a meeting has a deliberative vote and, if necessary, a casting vote.

20. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

  1. The Board may, subject to this Chapter, regulate proceedings at its meetings as it considers appropriate.
  2. Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the Board may—
    1. permit members to participate in a particular meeting by telephone, closed-circuit television or any other means of communication, and a member who so participates is regarded as being present at the meeting;
    2. invite a person to attend a meeting for the purpose of advising or informing it on any matter.

21. RESOLUTIONS WITHOUT MEETINGS

  1. Where the Board so determines, a resolution is regarded to have been passed at a meeting of the Board if, without meeting, four or more members indicate agreement with the resolution in accordance with a procedure previously determined by the Board.
  2. Such a resolution is regarded to have been adopted on a day determined in accordance with the said procedure.

Part 2 - Chief Executive Officer And Staff (Ss 22-27)

22. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

  1. There is a Chief Executive Officer of the Authority who, subject to subsection (5), is appointed by the Board.
  2. Subject to this Chapter, the person appointed as Chief Executive Officer holds office for a period, not exceeding five years, specified in the instrument of appointment, but is eligible for reappointment.
  3. The Chief Executive Officer manages the Authority subject to the control and directions of the Board.
  4. Anything done in the name of, or on behalf of, the Authority by the Chief Executive Officer is regarded as having been done by the Authority.
  5. Despite subsection (1), the Minister may, for the purposes of the setting up of the Authority, appoint a provisional Chief Executive Officer on such terms and conditions, including remuneration and allowances, as the Minister may determine in writing.
  6. A person appointed under subsection (5) holds office for a period not exceeding three years, but is eligible for reappointment by the Board.

23. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER NOT TO ENGAGE IN OTHER WORK

The Chief Executive Officer may not engage in any paid employment outside the functions of the office without the prior approval of the Board.

24. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The Chief Executive Officer holds office on such terms and conditions, including remuneration and allowances, as the Board determines in writing.

25. RESIGNATION

The Chief Executive Officer may resign by notice in writing to the Board.

26. ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

  1.   a.  The Board may, subject to paragraph (b), appoint a person to act as Chief Executive Officer—
    1. during a vacancy in the office of Chief Executive Officer, whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office; or
    2. during any period, or during all periods, when the Chief Executive Officer is absent from duty or from the Republic or is, for any other reason, unable to perform the functions of the office.

    b.   A person appointed to act as Chief Executive Officer may not continue so to act for more than 12 months at a time.

  2. A person, other than an officer, who is acting as Chief Executive Officer is entitled to the same remuneration and allowances as are payable to the Chief Executive Officer.
  3. An officer who is acting as Chief Executive Officer must be continued to be paid the remuneration and allowances payable to the officer, but is also to be paid—
    1. so much of the remuneration payable to the Chief Executive Officer as exceeds the officer's usual remuneration;
    2. so much of any allowance payable to the Chief Executive Officer as exceeds the corresponding allowance payable to the officer; and
    3. if an allowance is payable to the Chief Executive Officer but is not payable to the officer, that allowance.

27. STAFF

  1. The necessary staff must be employed by the Authority under a contract of employment.
  2. The Chief Executive Officer may, on behalf of the Authority, arrange with a State authority or another body—
    1. for the services of officers or employees of the State or other body to be made available for the purposes of the Authority; or
    2. for the services of an officer to be made available for the purposes of the State or any other body.
  3. Despite anything to the contrary in any law contained, the Chief Executive Officer may, in accordance with an agreement between the Department and the Authority, transfer permanently to the Authority any person who is an officer or employee of the Department in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994 (Proclamation 103 of 1994), with the concurrence of such person.
  4. Before acting under subsection (2) or (3), the Chief Executive Officer must obtain the Minister's approval.

Chapter 3
Operation Of Authority (Ss 28-30)

28. BUSINESS PLAN

  1. The Authority must prepare a business plan at least 90 days before the beginning of each financial year to be approved by the Minister.
  2. The business plan must—
    1. include a statement of the short and medium term operational and business objectives of the Authority for at least five years;
    2. outline the strategies and policies that the Authority intends to adopt in order to achieve its objectives; and
    3. include, inter alia, an operational plan, a financial plan, a human resources plan and performance indicators.
  3. The financial plan must include estimates of expenditure and revenue for the following financial year.
  4. The Authority may amend the business plan with the Minister's approval.
  5. The Minister's approval under subsection (1) or (4) has effect from the beginning of the financial year concerned.

29. FINANCIAL TARGETS AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

When preparing the financial plan, the Authority must consider—

  1. the need for high standards of maritime safety;
  2. the need for a high standard of protection for the marine environment;
  3. objectives in legislation and government policies;
  4. any direction given by the Minister under section 7;
  5. any payments by the State to the Authority to fund functions referred to in paragraph (g);
  6. the need to maintain a reasonable level of reserves, having regard to estimated future infrastructural requirements;
  7. the need to earn a reasonable rate of return on the Authority's assets, including assets wholly or principally used in the performance of functions that are directly funded by the State; and
  8. any other commercial consideration the Authority considers appropriate.

30. MINISTER MAY DIRECT VARIATION OF FINANCIAL PLAN

  1. The Minister may direct the Authority to vary the financial plan in respect of financial targets, and performance indicators, relating to the provision of services and facilities.
  2. When doing so, the Minister must consider—
    1. the matters referred to in section 29, other than paragraph (c); and
    2. any other consideration of a commercial nature that the Minister considers appropriate.
  3. A direction must be in writing and set out its reasons.

Chapter 4
Finance (Ss 31-44)

Part 1 - General (ss 31-43)

31. TRANSFER OF CERTAIN STATE ASSETS TO AUTHORITY

  1. Where, immediately before the commencement of this section—
    1. a function of the Authority was being performed by the Department; and
    2. an asset was held or used by the Department in connection with the performance of that function,

the Minister may cause the asset to be transferred to the Authority.

  1. Subsection (1) is not construed as preventing the State from transferring any asset to the Authority otherwise than under that subsection, provided the asset is transferred in order to further the objectives of the Authority referred to in section 3.

32. TRANSFER OF LAND, ETC., TO AUTHORITY

  1. Where the Minister for the purposes of this section determines and describes any land owned by the State by notice in the Gazette, such land is transferred to the Authority on the date specified in the notice, not being earlier than the date of publication of the notice.
  2. Despite section 5 of the State Land Disposal Act, 1961 (Act 48 of 1961), and section 18 of the Deeds Registries Act, 1937 (Act 47 of 1937), a registrar must, on submission of a certificate by the Minister that State land has been transferred under subsection (1), make such entries and endorsements free of charge as the registrar considers necessary in or on any appropriate register, title deed or other document in his or her office or laid before him or her, in order to register the transfer of such land in the name of the Authority.
  3. A registrar must, on submission of a certificate by the Minister that a servitude, other real right or lease has been transferred under subsection (1) or that a servitude exists over State land that has been transferred under that subsection, make such entries and endorsements free of charge as the registrar considers necessary in or on any appropriate register, title deed or other document in his or her office or laid before him or her, in order to—
    1. register the transfer of such servitude, other real right or lease in the name of the Authority; or
    2. confirm the existence of the servitude over the State land so transferred in favour of any other person.
  4. Despite anything to the contrary in any law contained, a servitude or other real right in respect of State land transferred to the Authority under subsection (1) may not be acquired by prescription.
  5. In this section 'registrar' means a registrar as defined in section 102 of the Deeds Registries Act, 1937.

33. EFFECT OF TRANSFER FROM STATE TO AUTHORITY

Where, immediately before a transfer under section 31 or 32—

  1. a right of the State arising out of a debt, liability or obligation of any other person in favour of the State existed in respect of the assets so transferred; or
  2. a debt, liability or obligation of the State existed in respect of the assets so transferred,

the right, debt, liability or obligation, as the case may be, is transferred from the State to the Authority on such transfer.

34. LIABILITIES IN RESPECT OF PERSONNEL

The Minister may, in consultation with the Authority, determine in writing the amount (if any) of the provisions to be made by the Authority on account of liabilities transferred from the State in respect of personnel.

35. MONEY PAID IN ADVANCE TO STATE

Where, in respect of a function of the Authority which was formerly performed by the Department, an amount received by the State is or includes an amount paid in advance on account of anything to be done by the State in performing that function, and that thing was not done by the State before the commencement of this Act, there is payable to the Authority by the State an amount that the Minister, having regard to all matters that he or she considers relevant, determines in writing as being payable because of the receipt of the first-mentioned amount.

36. RIGHTS IN RESPECT OF SERVICES AND FACILITIES FORMERLY PROVIDED BY DEPARTMENT

  1. Where, immediately before the commencement of this Act, in respect of a function of the Authority which was formerly performed by the Department, a right of the State existed, arising out of a debt, liability or obligation of any other person in favour of the State in respect of a service or facility provided by the Department in the performance of that function, the right of the State is transferred to the Authority to the extent that the Minister determines in writing having regard to the objectives of the Authority referred to in section 3.
  2. Where, immediately before the commencement of this section, proceedings relating to such a debt, liability or obligation were pending in a court, the proceedings, to the extent that they so relate, may be continued by the Authority and, if the Authority does so, the Authority must replace the State in those proceedings.

37. ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

  1. The assets of the Authority include—
    1. assets transferred to the Authority by or under this Act;
    2. any amount paid to the Authority out of money appropriated by Parliament for the purpose of funding the Authority;
    3. any amount payable to the Authority under any law or any instrument thereunder;
    4. amounts paid to the Authority in terms of section 44 of this Act and section 2 of the South African Maritime Safety Authority Levies Act, 1998;
    5. any reserves resulting from the operations of the Authority;
    6. any assets acquired by the Authority in the course of its operations.
  2. The liabilities of the Authority include-
    1. the amount determined under section 34;
    2. debts, liabilities and obligations of the State transferred to the Authority in terms of section 33;
    3. any debts incurred by the Authority in the course of its operations;
    4. any loans raised by the Authority.

38. MARITIME FUND

  1. A fund, called the Maritime Fund, is hereby established under the control of the Minister.
  2. The Authority must administer the Fund in the prescribed manner and the accounts relating to the Fund must be audited annually by the Auditor-General.
  3. Where is to be paid to the Fund amounts equal to amounts received by way of penalty, fine or forfeiture by the State for contraventions in terms of the laws referred to in section 2 (2).
  4. Money in the Fund may be applied only for the purpose of furthering the objectives of the Authority referred to in section 3.
  5. Money in the Fund that is not required for immediate use must be invested with a bank registered under the Banks Act, 1990 (Act 94 of 1990).
  6. Money in the Fund at the end of any financial year must be carried forward as a credit to the Fund to the ensuing financial year.
  7. The Chief Executive Officer is the accounting officer of the Fund charged with the responsibility of accounting for money received and expenditure incurred by the Fund.

39. GRANTS BY STATE

The Minister of Finance may, out of money appropriated by Parliament for the purpose, grant money to the Authority on such terms and conditions as that Minister may determine in writing.

40. BORROWINGS

The Authority may borrow money from any source, including a foreign source.

41. GUARANTEE OF BORROWINGS

  1. The Minister of Finance may guarantee the compliance by the Authority with obligations incurred by it under section 40.
  2. A contract under subsection (1) may include a provision—
    1. agreeing that legal proceedings under the contract may be instituted in the courts of a foreign country; or
    2. waiving the immunity of the State from suit in the courts of a foreign country.
  3. Where the Minister of Finance guarantees such a borrowing, that Minister must cause to be tabled in Parliament within 15 sitting days after the contract is entered into, notice specifying the amount and term of the borrowing and such other information relating to the borrowing or the guarantee as that Minister considers appropriate.

42. AUTHORITY MAY GIVE SECURITY

The Authority may give security over the whole or part of its assets for—

  1. the compliance by the Authority with any obligation incurred under section 39 or 40; or
  2. the payment to the State of amounts equal to amounts paid by the State under a guarantee under section 41.

43. APPLICATION OF REPORTING BY PUBLIC ENTITIES ACT, 1992

  1. The Authority must comply with the Reporting by Public Entities Act, 1992 (Act 93 of 1992), as applicable to listed entities.
  2. When reporting in terms of section 2 of the said Act, the Authority must include an evaluation of its overall performance compared with the financial targets and performance indicators for the year concerned.

Part 2 - Charges (s 44)

44. CHARGES

  1. Subject to this section, the Authority may make determinations—
    1. imposing charges and specifying the persons by whom, and the times when, such charges are payable; and
    2. imposing the penalties for the purposes of subsection (8).
  2. Before making a determination under subsection (1), the Authority must give the Minister notice in writing of the proposed determination—
    1. specifying the day from which the determination is intended to operate;
    2. if it imposes a charge or penalty, specifying the basis of such charge or penalty; and
    3. if it varies a charge or penalty, specifying the reason for the variation.
  3. The Minister may within 60 days after receiving a notice of the proposed determination, give the Authority notice in writing approving or disapproving the proposed determination, but when the Minister does so, the Minister must have regard to the objectives and functions of the Authority.
  4. A notice under subsection (3) disapproving a proposed determination may recommend an alternative determination.
  5. The Authority may make a determination under subsection (1) only if—
    1. the Minister approves it; or
    2. the period within which the Minister may give notice to the Authority under subsection (3) has expired without the Minister having given such notice.
  6. The amount or rate of a charge imposed under subsection (1) must be reasonably related to the expenses incurred or to be incurred by the Authority in relation to the matter to which the charge relates and may not be such as to amount to taxation.
  7. A determination made under subsection (1) must be published in the Gazette.
  8. Subject to subsection (9), where a charge imposed under subsection (1) is not paid within the period determined by the Authority, being a period beginning on the day on which the charge becomes due, the person liable for the payment of the charge is liable to pay to the Authority, in addition to the charge, a penalty calculated upon the unpaid amount of the charge from the date on which the charge became due, and compounded.
  9. The penalties determined under subsection (1) may not exceed an amount equivalent to the prescribed percentage of the unpaid amount of the charge for each day during which it remains unpaid, calculated from the date on which the charge became due, and compounded.
  10. Unpaid charges and penalties may be recovered as debts due to the Authority.
  11. Any reference to a fee, however expressed, in the laws referred to in section 2(2) must be construed as a reference to the corresponding charge determined under this section.

Chapter 5
General Provisions (Ss 45-58)

45. POWER TO DETAIN

  1. The Authority may detain a ship in the prescribed manner in respect of which a due levy, charge or related penalty has not been paid.
  2. A customs officer may not grant a certificate of clearance or transire under the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (Act 91 of 1964), in respect of a ship liable to detention under subsection (1).

46. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF AUTHORITY

  1. The Authority, its officers and any person or body acting on its authority are not liable for any loss or damage suffered by any person by reason of anything done or not done in good faith in the carrying out of the Authority's duties referred to in section 4.
  2. —
    1. The State indemnifies the Authority, its officers and any person or body acting on its authority in respect of any civil liability they may incur for loss or damage suffered by any person by reason of anything done or not done in the carrying out of the Authority's duties referred to in section 4, in an amount equal to the amount by which that liability and any related reasonable costs and expenses exceeds—
      1. the amount payable in respect of that liability or those costs and expenses in terms of any policy of insurance or other form of financial security maintained by the Authority in accordance with paragraph (b); and
      2. any other amount recoverable by the Authority in respect of that liability or those costs and expenses, whether by way of right of recourse or otherwise.
    2. The Authority must maintain insurance or other financial security contemplated in paragraph (a) (i) in the amount determined in consultation with the Minister.
  3. —
    1. The State is liable for all unrecoverable reasonable costs and expenses incurred or to be incurred by the Authority in the carrying out of any duty referred to in section 4 to prevent or combat pollution of the marine environment by ships.
    2. For the purposes of paragraph (a), costs and expenses are regarded to be unrecoverable if, and to the extent that—
      1. no liability for the costs and expenses arises under any law;
      2. the person liable for the costs and expenses under any law is financially incapable of meeting his, her or its obligations in full and any financial security that may be provided does not cover or is insufficient to satisfy the claim for costs and expenses; or
      3. the costs and expenses exceed any statutory liability limit, and are not otherwise recoverable in terms of any law.

47. DELEGATION BY MINISTER

The Minister may delegate all or any of the powers contemplated in sections 31, 32, 35, 36 and 49 to an officer of the Department.

48. DELEGATION BY AUTHORITY

The Authority may, by written instrument, delegate all or any of its powers under this Act or any other law, but the powers under sections 40, 42 and 44 (1) may be delegated to an officer only.

49. SUBSTITUTION OF AUTHORITY FOR STATE IN CERTAIN CONTRACTS, ETC.

If the Minister so declares in writing, a specified contract or other instrument to which the State or the Government is bound as a party, and that relates to an asset immediately before the transfer of that asset to the Authority under this Act, is regarded after the transfer, to the extent to which the contract or instrument so relates, as if—

  1. the State or the Government was replaced as a party by the Authority; and
  2. any reference to the State or the Government were, in relation to matters occurring after the transfer, a reference to the Authority.

50. PUBLICATION OF DIRECTIONS

Where the Minister gives a direction under section 7 or 30, the Minister must cause a copy of the direction to be published in the Gazette within 21 days after it is given.

51. MARINE CASUALTIES INVESTIGATION COMMISSION

  1. The Minister may establish an independent commission to receive and evaluate reports on casualties prepared by the Authority in terms of any law referred to in section 2 (2).
  2. A commission established under subsection (1) reports directly to the Minister.

52. CERTAIN FUNCTIONS OF AUTHORITY TO BE PERFORMED BY DEPARTMENT OF STATE

  1. The responsibility for matters relating to the combating of pollution mentioned in Marine Notice 2 of 1996 issued by the Department on 24 January 1996 as amended from time to time is, for all purposes, regarded as having been assigned to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism by this Act.
  2. The Minister may, with the concurrence of the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, by notice in the Gazette, amend or repeal this section in accordance with the further development of rationalisation policy.

53. REGULATIONS

  1. The Minister may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act-
    1. prescribing all matters required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed;
    2. prescribing the manner in which and the persons or bodies by whom charges, levies and related penalties are to be collected, and the manner in which security may be furnished for the payment of such charges, levies and related penalties;
    3. regulating the detaining of ships for the purposes of section 45; and
    4. prescribing all matters necessary or expedient to be prescribed for the better achievement of the objects of this Act.
  2. Regulations under subsection (1) may include such incidental, supplementary or transitional provisions as may be reasonably necessary or expedient.

54. APPLICATION OF ACT TO PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDS

This Act also applies to the Prince Edward Islands referred to in section 1 of the Prince Edward Islands Act, 1948 (Act 43 of 1948).

55. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 1 OF ACT 105 OF 1983, AS AMENDED BY SECTION 1 OF ACT 87 OF 1992

Section 1 of the Admiralty Jurisdiction Regulation Act, 1983, is hereby amended by the substitution for paragraph (r) of the definition of 'maritime claim' of the following paragraph:

'(r) dock, harbour or similar dues, and any charge, levy or penalty imposed under the South African Maritime Safety Authority Act, 1998, or the South African Maritime Safety Authority Levies Act, 1998;'.

56. AMENDMENT OF SECTION 11 OF ACT 105 OF 1983, AS SUBSTITUTED BY SECTION 9 OF ACT 87 OF 1992

Section 11 of the Admiralty Jurisdiction Regulation Act, 1983, is hereby amended by the substitution for subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of the following subparagraph:

'(ii) in respect of port, canal, other waterways or pilotage dues, and any charge, levy or penalty imposed under the South African Maritime Safety Authority Act, 1998, or the South African Maritime Safety Authority Levies Act, 1998;'.

57. TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

  1. Despite anything to the contrary in any law contained, the Minister may, during the period from the date on which this section comes into operation to the transfer date, take such steps or authorise such things to be done as may be reasonably necessary to promote—
    1. the transfer of functions performed by the Department to the Authority; and
    2. the management of the Authority.
  2. Despite anything to the contrary in this Act contained, during the period mentioned in subsection (1), the Minister must approve the business plan that will come into operation on the transfer date.

58. SHORT TITLE AND COMMENCEMENT

  1. This Act is called the South African Maritime Safety Authority Act, 1998, and comes into operation on a date fixed by the President by proclamation in the Gazette.
  2. The amendments contained in the third column of the Schedule take effect on the transfer date.

Schedule

Administration of Laws Transferred

(Section 2 (2))

The schedule lists consequential amendments of:

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